Parenting Corner Q & A: Steroids

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Steroids

A couple of guys on my team are using steroids. Are they really that dangerous?

You may have heard steroids called roids, juice, hype, or pump. Anabolic-androgenic steroids are powerful prescription drugs that some athletes use not for medical reasons, but as a way to boost athletic performance and build muscle and body mass. They work by acting like the body's natural male hormone, testosterone.

Know the risks

Steroid use always causes bad side effects. They can really mess up your body. Megadoses do not give faster results and using in cycles is not safer. Stacking is really dangerous. Even though some of the side effects go away when you stop using steroids, some may not.

Remember! These steroids act like the male hormone testosterone—so for both guys and girls, they can cause

Acne, really bad acne, especially on face and back
Baldness
A slow down of growth in athletes who aren't done growing yet
High blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol changes, and heart disease
Blood clots and stroke
Liver damage, jaundice, or liver cancer
Headaches, aching joints, and muscle cramps
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Sleep problems
Increased risk of ligament and tendon injuries, which can end your athletic career for good

In addition, anyone injecting steroids with a needle and sharing needles with other users is at high risk for serious infections like hepatitis or HIV, which cause the AIDS virus. Using one type of illegal drug may also make other drug use more likely, and cause even more health risks.

In guys, steroid use causes the body to produce less testosterone. The result? Your testicles shrink. What else?

A low sperm count
Impotence (inability to get an erection)
Breast and nipple growth
Enlarged prostate (a gland in the penis)

Steroids can be pretty tough on girls' bodies too, causing

Breast shrinkage
More face and body hair
Voice deepening
Problems with menstrual periods
Clitoris enlargement

Steroids can also mess with your mind and cause

"Roid rage"—severe, aggressive behavior that may result in violence, such as fighting or destroying property
Severe mood swings
Hallucinations—seeing or hearing things that are not really there
Paranoia—extreme feelings of mistrust and fear
Anxiety and panic attacks
Depression and thoughts of suicide

Better safe than sorry!

If you are serious about your sport and your health, you don't need drugs to prove yourself. Instead, keep yourself healthy by

Training safely, without drugs
Eating a healthy diet
Getting plenty of rest
Setting realistic goals (Be proud of yourself when you reach your goals!)
Getting training, coaching, and advice from reliable professionals
Playing safely and using protective gear
Talking with your pediatrician about your health and nutrition, and how to prevent injuries and gain strength safely

Share this information with friends and teammates. Take a stand against the use of anabolic steroids and other drugs. Truly successful athletes combine their natural abilities with hard work to achieve their best. There is no quicker or easier way.

Healthcare professionals may order this publication in multi-copy packs.
Parents can find more information on this topic in Caring for Your Teenager. To order a copy of this book visit the AAP Bookstore.

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The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

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